Trampers and hikes who fill in intention forms at the Department of Conservation (DOC) offices are not returning the forms stubs. Trampers take off a stub from the form that is meant to be returned to the departments offices to confirm that trampers have returned safely.
Intention forms are a useful safety system that informs DOC of the intended track location to be walked and a panic date if trampers do not return. Understandably if trampers do not inform DOC that they have returned safely then a full scale search and rescue can result .
The problem is so wide spread that police are spending many man hours checking accommodation providers, car rental firms and airports in efforts to trace people and double check they had returned safely and were not overdue.
Tags: Department of Conservation, DOC, Tramping
I was guilty of this. But it is not made clear when returning the intention
form to the office chick at the desk. Staff training may help here!!